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Florida Supreme Court intends to remove Judge Hawkins from office

Florida's Supreme Court Monday evening said it intends to throw off the bench Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins. The court demanded Hawkins show cause why she should not be removed from office after an earlier finding of misconduct on the bench.

Florida's Supreme Court Monday evening said it intends to throw off the bench Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins. The court demanded Hawkins show cause why she should not be removed from office after an earlier finding of misconduct on the bench.

A Judicial Qualifications Commission in January found Hawkins had used her office to promote her ministry and obstructed the JQC's investigation.

The JQC recommended Hawkins be disciplined with a public reprimand, a 90-day suspension from office and a $17,000 fine. The JQC's finding came after a three-day trial in October. The most serious of the five charges Hawkins faced included being less than forthcoming during the JQC investigation into allegations that she was running Gaza Road Ministries from her Leon County Courthouse office and peddling her book to court staff and others.

In February, Hawkins, through her Coconut Grove attorney, told the court in response that she did not contest the JQC's findings or its recommendations.

On Monday, six justices of the Supreme Court – Justice Peggy Quince recused herself – said it considered the entire case and requires she "show cause why removal from office is not the appropriate sanction in this case.